Nintendo announced today a worldwide price drop for the Nintendo 3DS. The reduction in price will be effective starting August 11 or 12, depending on region. With these changes, gamers can look to save around $100 on a new console.

The new retail price in Japan is now ¥15,000 (starting August 11). Internationally, the 3DS will now retail from AU$250 in Australia, $169.99 in the United States, and NZ$343.99 in New Zealand (starting August 12).

But those who already bought a 3DS need not worry about missing out on anything. A Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors program was announced for people who bought a Nintendo 3DS and have accessed the Nintendo eShop before August 11. The official press release states:

“Since Nintendo 3DS launched in the United States on March 27, more than 830,000 people in the U.S. alone have purchased one to enjoy 3D visuals without the need for special glasses. These Nintendo 3DS owners represent some of Nintendo's most loyal customers, and Nintendo is rewarding them for getting in on the action early with 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.

These free games are available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. The program contains two elements:

Starting Sept. 1, Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors will be able to download 10 NES™ Virtual Console™ games at no charge and before they are available in the Nintendo eShop to the general public. These games, including Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™, are slated to become paid downloadable games, but Ambassadors get them early for free. Once the paid versions of the games are posted to the Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost.